Running head: ADOLESCENT PAPER

Adolescent Paper
Kelly Talbert
Wayne State University
SW 3510
Professor Ruhana
April 02, 2014
Adolescent Paper
I would like to state that this is a hard assignment for the simple fact that the rubric
requests us to write about uncomfortable issues. I am confident that I am not the only student that
is feeling this way, but in the quest for better education and understanding I will share some of
my adolescent issues. The three theories that I chose to use in my paper are Banduras Social
Learning Theory, Social Exchange Theory and Kohlbergs Moral Development Theory.
With the issue of Sexuality, I was a late bloomer. I started my period when I was fifteen
and I'm sure I was not alone in the uncontrolled times it reared its ugly head. The issue with this
was that my doctors suggestion to regulate it was Birth Control; well I was not OK with that.
You have to understand I considered myself a good girl and if I took those pills I would not be a
good girl. Regardless, the fact was I had not participated in that sort of activity (sex). Long story
short in the end my mother and doctor agreed that if my convictions were that strong that I did
not have to take the Birth Control and I did NOT! As I grew up the menstrual cycle stopped
being an issue until recently. Now I am having wicked Periods and Cramps. Presently the issues
are Fibroids, which are inherited and the plan of care is going to be removal of the fibroids and a

biopsy from my cervix to rule out Cervical Cancer. This will take place at the end of this
semester. I describe this as the Kohlbergs Moral Development Theory, because there are six
separate stages of moral development that begin in preschool years and continue through
adulthood. These stages can be thought of as theories of right and wrong that we carry around
with us (Asford & LeCroy 2013, pg. 438). In early adolescence young people are in a stage of
interpersonal conformity where what is right is to be a nice person and live up to the
expectations of others, and the reason to be good is to make sure that others will think well of
him or herself (Asford & LeCroy 2013, pg. 438-439).
As far as Drugs being an issue that depends on your take of them. I have never taken an
illegal drug in my life, but prescription drugs are a whole other issue. I am a SEVERE
ASTHMATIC diagnosed at the early age of three weeks. I had the misfortune to miss a lot of
school while my doctors tried very hard to figure out the medications that worked for me, each
time I had a growth spurt or different age group occurred. Today this is still a major issue for me,
with the pregnancy of my son I was in the emergency room for what seemed like every other day
because when he grew I lost lung capacity, I was put on a medical from work after the first
month of pregnancy and I could not be left alone. The attacks came that often, I was hospitalized
four times during my pregnancy, and they tried to induce labor at thirty-eight weeks, but the
doctors discovered that with contractions I had an asthma attack. Later, I developed Acid Reflux
and had surgery performed to control it because it also affected my asthma requiring me to be off
from work for over a year. Then four years ago, Thanksgiving Day, I had the HORRIFIC most
TERRIFYING experience with prescribed drugs, because I caught the Swine Flu a SUPER NO
NO for asthmatics. First off they told me had I not came to work I probably would have died.
Next, I work in an emergency room where I probably encountered the infection and where my

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wonderful co-worker Daniella shall receive the praise for noticing my labored breathing and
making me become a patient, retrieving the doctor. It took them less than fifteen minutes to get
my positive results back. Then I became an in house patient for ten horrible days in
ISOLATION, receiving doses of steroids so high that my veins were stripping. I had a total of
twenty - one IVs during my ten day hospitalization and numerous medications. Finally, a side
effect of the steroids was that I now had incurred medically induced High Blood Pressure, and
Diabetes. So as you read this I think it is a pretty clear picture of how much I dislike prescription
drug, so the hell with illegal ones! Let me stress that I am compliant with my meds and I also
wear a Medical Alert bracelet. I describe this as Banduras Social Learning Theory, from a
human development perspective, self efficacy is helpful in understanding how individuals
adjust to new situation and roles. A strong sense of self- efficacy can help a person engage in new
situations and persist (Asford & LeCroy 2013, pg. 102)
Peer pressure was never my thing, because I have always considered myself to have a
leader personality. I do not agree with peer pressure. Yes, I have observed it in my lifetime, do I
participate I think not. I am here to positive and offer positivity.
As far as body image, I definitely did not have an issue with that during my adolescence,
I was and still am beautiful on the inside and out. Now being currently over forty, heck yeah I
have an issue. I need to go to the gym and tone, but I consider the fact that with age comes
gravity so on that note the only thing to elaborate on is to try to continue healthy living, which is
to eat right, get adequate sleep, and get some exercise.
Family Dynamics and Diversity in my family were strong. Family Dynamics were the
work ethic which came in many forms; behavior, school, and work (home or out in the world). If

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you did not go to college you have to work. My grandfather began our work ethic, which spilled
over to my mother and in turn was bestowed to us (sisters and myself). I feel that we were
privileged young ladies. My sisters and I were introduced to Art, Music, and Travel thanks to the
courtesy of our parents. Diversity was through my father and his family, they are from Bermuda,
so unlike most children I had duel citizenship. I also went to Bermuda every summer, where I
was exposed to their culture. My father and his mother were educators. My fathers last job
before retiring was, the Ambassador of Cultural Affairs in Bermuda. In Bermuda they follow
British living and laws that was a blast to learn about.
My sisters and I all have a son; I feel that we have taught them the same avenue of ethic
as we received. My nephew graduated for College of Creative Studies, and my son currently
attends a HBCU. In their schooling alone you have family dynamic and diversity. I have learned
that raising a male is not easy. You may get it right with behavior and education ,but as far as
them becoming men it takes their fathers , community, and friends to help them that phase in
life. I describe this as Social Exchange Theory; assumes that all aspect of social life can be
conceptualized as an exchange of resources and rewards between individuals or groups of
individuals. This social theory has close connections with principles of economic utilitarianism
(people seek to maximize pleasure in pursuit of utility happiness) and principles of
behaviorism (behavior is reinforced by the experience of rewards and punishments) (Asford &
LeCroy 2013, pg. 148).

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References
Ashford, J. B., & LeCroy, C. W. (2013). Human behavior in the social environment a
multidimensional perspective (5 ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.